An unscientific poll: How often are you happy?

Hmmm....hard to quantify isn't it? I guess I'd put it at about 75%-85% right now. I think I'm pretty happy when the cd I put on is good more so then if my sytem isn't quite right. I've got about $5,000 in the system now and know that a few more tweaks will make a difference and bring it that much closer to giving me satisfaction and pleasure all the time. New wires.....that's the biggy in front of me right now. I truly love to listen every time I put something I love on, so.....I'm close.

50% or less.

95% and about 12K with mostly used equipment. It's a 5 channel system so that isn't too bad. I'll be happy with this for quite some time. I'm not really an equipment buff, and for what I want it sounds just about perfect to me right now. The little tweaks I do, like cabling, just bring it closer to perfection (In my biased ears), but aren't required, I usually weigh equipment versus software and go software. The last little bit I would like to change would probably lower my wife's enjoyment of the system more than it would improve mine, so I don't think it'll ever happen!

Greg

Geez, I'd have to say darn close to 100% - my system is off in it's own room and when I'm in there I'm a)not at work, b) not listening to somebody tell me their problems (work, not wife!), and c) often have a beer in my hand. And, oh yeah, the music usually sounds really good too. I often hear the phone ring when I'm in listening to the music with a cold one beside me and I think, "now what's the point of answering that? There is NOBODY that could be calling that would improve my current situation!".

I'm actually happy close to 100% of the time even in the spirit of the question. It almost always puts a smile on my face to listen to my system. Without question, thoughts run through my mind occassionally during any given listening about what might be improved, but it's more intellectual than emotional, hence I remain happy but inquisitive. As stated in some of the other responses, my times of being less than happy are when the music I'm listening to isn't a particularly good recording. If I could get all the music I love to listen to in a recorded form that was equal to the best recordings I have, I'd never be unhappy. Which is not the same as saying I'd never upgrade again.

I have a combination audio / HT system - total cost is probably a bit over $30K retail, a bit under $20K of my $$ actually in it. -Kirk

Z; an interesting if esoteric question to an audiophile. But I think a big part of happiness vs unhappiness does not necessarily have to do with the stereo system per se, but rather with the individuals prevailing state of mind (mood) at the time the ol' big rig is fired up. Atleast this is true for me, and as I have a tendency to be negative, depressive, introspective, obsessive, analytical and realistic, I'm in agreement w/ Drubin, and would go with 50/50-- while recognizing that my dis-satisfaction does not necessarily have to do with my systems performance, but rather with MY performance.

I have about $50K (MSRP) in my big rig and an another $12-14K (MSRP) in a half-assed HT system. When I'm in a good mood, and settle in to listen for awhile, it sounds fantastic and I'm very happy with it. But when in a foul mood, I have a hard time finding anything that sounds good.

But I'll add this: I'm damn glad I have (especially) my main stereo system, and on balance it brings me a great deal of pleasure. And the happiness includes upgrade planning, auditioning, tweaking etc. There certainly are times that I'm disappointed in my system, but I've now gotten to the point that I agree with Audiogon Arnie when he said "I've gotten to the point that I can make a system sound however I want"-- that's a paraphrase, and I hope Arnie doesn't mind me using his observation. I think it's an astute observation by a confident audiophile, and I've thought a lot about it myself.

Beemer makes an excellent point too-- sometimes it's both scary and disappointing when buying new music. But sometimes it's exciting too, and I find that one of the most appealing aspects of this affliction is finding new music that really turns me on. Cheers? and good luck w/this thread. Craig